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Kevin De Bruyne (r.) In a duel with Idrissa Gueye
Photo:
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
Paris Saint-Germain lost the first leg in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Manchester City 1: 2 (1: 0) and have to fear for a return to the final. The hosts took the lead through Marquinhos (15th minute). Manchester equalized through Kevin De Bruyne (64th), a free kick by Riyad Mahrez brought the decision (71st). After a tough foul against Ilkay Gündogan, PSG midfield player Idrissa Gueye saw the red card (77th) and we are missing in the second leg in a week.
Both coaches relied on proven staff and the tactical orientations were also expected.
PSG relied on quick switching moments in a 4-4-2 with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar in the front line, the guests started without a central attacker like in the quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund.
On the other hand, City had significantly more possession in the early stages - without coming too dangerously in front of Keylor Navas' goal.
The Parisians developed more chances to score, Neymar failed twice in a promising position (2nd / 13th).
The early lead fell after a corner kick, although Manchester have rarely had problems defending set pieces in the previous Champions League season.
Ángel di María brought the corner sharply in front of the goal from the right and Marquinhos headed in with force.
With the lead in their backs, PSG could have withdrawn and counted more on the counterattack, but the proportion of possession of the ball leveled off as the game progressed.
A high-class game developed with a lot of speed, but City needed a play error by the hosts in their own penalty area for the great chance of equalization.
Bernardo Silva intercepted Leandro Paredes' pass, brought the ball to Phil Foden and the young star came 14 meters in front of the goal quite free to the shot - Navas parried the badly placed ball (42.)
City half-field flank turns the game
At the beginning of the second half, City increasingly managed to get stuck in half of PSG - also because they better counter-pressed when the ball was lost.
A lot went over the left side with Foden and Joao Cancelo, but the center point was still missing.
Mbappé, who went to the baseline on the right, did better, Marco Verratti just missed his cross pass (56th).
The fact that the team of coach Pep Guardiola does not need a classic center forward to score goals became apparent in the 64th minute.
After a brief corner kick, De Bruyne came on the left side to a half-field cross so typical for City.
Central defender John Stones was still ahead because of the corner, went towards the ball and irritated Navas.
The ball slipped through and the PSG goalkeeper could no longer react.
The hosts appeared impressed afterwards.
That had an impact on their own offensive efforts, but also on their behavior on the pitch.
It became more hectic, fouls and nicknames increased.
City took advantage of the headlessness of Paris - and added the second goal.
A free kick from Mahrez opened the wall, he went right through this gap and so Navas had to look behind again without a chance.
A little later Gueye went into a duel with Gündogan from behind with a stretched leg and hit him on the fibula.
The German referee Felix Brych consequently held up the red card, Gündogan was able to continue playing after a short treatment phase.
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